New bill in PA would prohibit unemployment discrimination

The PA House introduced its own unemployment-discrimination bill on January 22, 2013, and you can view a copy of it here.

Cliff’s notes version:

Employers CAN’T use one’s unemployment as a negative factor when considering candidates for job openings.

However, employers CAN consider an individual’s employment history or factual and objective reasons underlying an individual’s unemployment status in assessing an individual’s ability to perform the vacant job.

However, employers CAN assess whether an individual’s employment in a similar or related job for a period of time reasonably proximate to the consideration of the individual for employment is consistent with industry practice and necessary to successful performance of the vacant job

Employers that violate the law face fines and potential civil litigation. The statute of limitations is 2 years and taking adverse action against an individual within 90 days of the person’s exercise of rights protected under the Act raises a rebuttable presumption of retaliation.